National Weather Service Training Center

Quality Control

Web Module WBT-001

Course
Objective

This module provides a
background on quality control and quality assurance concepts and application to
NWS operations.

Why
is Quality Control Important?

The National Weather
Service (NWS) cannot operate without an effective quality control program at
both the local and national level. Good,
high quality data are the foundation upon which the NWS mission relies. Without reliable data and observations, the
NWS cannot issue accurate watches, warnings, and forecasts and the overall
quality of NWS products and services deteriorates. With the rapid exchange of data over
computer-run communication systems, it is easy for bad data to enter the system
at some point and contaminate the entire network within minutes, with no human
intervention. It is critical to review
data entering the communications system to ensure its reliability.

Module
Segments

The segments shown below
are all web based. Click the link to
access each segment. Review the segment
material and answer any review questions provided.

Segment 1: Quality
Control ConceptsThis segment describes general quality control concepts. It addresses general methods used for
quality control as well as some specific methods used in the National
Weather Service.

Segment 3: NWS
Observational Quality ControlThis segment outlines the
NWS policy on quality control of surface weather observations, and the key
role that the various levels of the NWS play in this process.

Segment 4: An Example of
a WFO QC ProgramThis is
a link to "The Hydrological and Surface Observation Quality Control
Program at NWSO Central Illinois" which describes in detail the
operational quality control program run at the
Lincoln
office.

Module
Certification

To receive credit for
completion of this module, you must pass a final exam. Click on the "FINAL EXAM" link
below and complete the questions then print a certificate to submit to the SOO.